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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. The expression the performer brings when playing his instrument.






2. A composition based on previous work. A common technique used in Medieval and Renaissance music.






3. Initially an improvised cadence by a soloist; later becoming an elaborate and written out passage in an aria or concerto - featuring the skills of an instrumentalist or vocalist.






4. A quick 20th century dance written in double time.






5. Creating variation pitch in a note by quickly alternating between notes.






6. Time signature with three beats to the measure.






7. Curved line connecting notes to be sung or played as a phrase.






8. Two or more voices or instruments playing the same note simultaneously.






9. Originally an improvised cadence by a soloist. Later it became a written out passage to display performance skills of an instrumentalist or performer.






10. A song or hymn celebrating Christmas.






11. The structure of a piece of music.






12. A chord progression that seems to lead to resolving itself on the final chord; but does not.






13. The unit of measure where the beats on the lines of the staff are divided up into two - three - four beats to a measure.






14. Often used in overtures - a composition that uses passages from other movements of the composition in its entirety.






15. The unit of musical rhythm.






16. A chord progression that seems to lead to resolving itself on the final chord; but does not.






17. Lowest female singing voice.






18. Eight full tones above the key note where the scale begins and ends.






19. A combination of two or more staves on which all the notes are vertically aligned and performed simultaneously in differing registers and instruments.






20. An extended solo - often accompanying the vocal part of an aria.






21. The frequency of a note determining how high or low it sounds.






22. Slow and stately dance music written in triple time.






23. A symbol indicating the note is to be raised by one semitone.






24. Arranging a piece of music for an orchestra. Also - the study of music.






25. A group singing in unison.






26. Three note chords consisting of a root - third - and fifth.






27. The unit of musical rhythm.






28. Music of a particular form consisting of four movements. Each of the movements differ in tempo - rhythm - and melody; but are held together by subject and style.






29. A person with notable technical skill in the performance of music.






30. One of the two modes of the tonal system. The minor mode can be identified by the dark - melancholic mood.






31. Creating variation pitch in a note by quickly alternating between notes.






32. The voice between soprano and alto. Also - in sheet music - a direction for the tempo to be played at medium speed.






33. Short movement or interlude connecting the main parts of the composition.






34. A successive transposition and repetition of a phrase at different pitches.






35. A style of singing which is characterized by the easy and flowing tone of the composition.






36. Combining a number of individual but harmonizing melodies. Also known as counterpoint.






37. A reprise.






38. Pertaining to the fugue - the overlapping of the same theme or motif by two or more voices a few beats apart.






39. Includes all twelve notes of an octave.






40. A composition whose style is simple and idyllic; suggestive of rural scenes.






41. Rapid alternation between notes that are a half tone or whole tone apart.






42. Tones used to embellish the principal melodic tone.






43. Movement in music where the characteristics are crisp and direct.






44. A piece of music written for two vocalists or instrumentalists.






45. The first section of a movement written in sonata form - introducing the melodies and themes.






46. A Boroque dance with a drone-bass.






47. Pertains to tone or tones.






48. A composition written for eight instruments.






49. A musical scale having five notes.For example: the five black keys of a keyboard make up a pentatonic scale.






50. Suite of Baroque dances.